303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies

What is the 303(d) list?

Section
303(d) of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act requires
states to identify waterbodies that do not meet water
quality objectives and are not supporting their beneficial
uses. Each state must submit an updated list, called
the 303(d) list, to the U.S. EPA every two years. In
addition to identifying the waterbodies that are not
supporting beneficial uses, the list also identifies
the pollutant or stressor causing impairment, and establishes
a priority for developing a control plan to address
the impairment. The list also identifies waterbodies where 1) a TMDL has been approved by U.S. EPA and an implementation is available, but water quality standards are not yet met, and 2) waterbodies where the water quality problem is being addressed by an action other than a TMDL and water quality standards are not yet met.

Current Status of the 2008/2010 303(d) List and 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report for the Central Coast

On July 10, 2009, the Central Coast Water Board approved staff's recommendations for changes to the 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies.

On November 12, 2011, U.S. EPA gave final approval to the 2008-2010 List of Impaired Waterbodies.

For questions on the 2008-2010 California Integrated Report contact Mary Hamilton of the Central Coast Water Board at madams@waterboards.ca.gov.

To subscribe to the State Water Resources Control Board's email list for the 2010 California Integrated Report, subscribe to the "Integrated Report" email list.

How and when does the 303(d) list get updated? And how can I participate?

Pursuant to Section 303(d) of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act, the state must submit an updated list to the U.S. EPA every two years. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) initiates the process to update the list by soliciting data and information from the public. Staff at the Regional and State Water Boards consider this data, along with data available to the Water Boards, in preparing the updated list. Once received, the data and information is evaluated consistent with the Policy for Developing California's Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List. You may access this policy at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/tmdl/303d_listing.shtml. The policy requires that the Regional Water Boards approve an updated list for waters in each region and submit this list for subsequent approval by the State Water Board as part of the updated list for the state. The U.S. EPA then must approve the state list.

What happens when a water body is placed on the 303(d) list?

Once
a waterbody is placed on the 303(d) list, Regional Board
staff evaluates the nature of the impairment and begins
developing a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), if appropriate
and necessary. For each TMDL developed, staff
will also develop an implementation or water quality
control plan for each water body and associated pollutant/stressor
on the list. The TMDL and the implementation plan serve
as the means to attain and maintain water quality standards
for the impaired water body. During each 303(d) listing
cycle the water bodies on the list are prioritized in
order to facilitate scheduling and budgeting to develop
TMDLs and implementation plans.